Kristal, who died yesterday at Cabrini Hospital (August 27), had been suffering from lung cancer, but managed to sit through much of the final night’s performance at CBGB‘s before leaving to a standing ovation.

Despite the closure of the club, the clothing store CBGB Fashions remained open selling memorabilia including shower curtains, guitar straps and the internationally ubiquitous CBGB T-shirt. Kristal also had plans to open a CBGB‘s in Las Vegas.

At the time of the closing of the Bowery venue, Kristal vowed to take every last bit of the club with him in order to formulate an authentic recreation of the club in Vegas.

“I am taking the bars with me, I am taking the stage – I’m taking the urinal that Joey (Ramone) pissed in with me. I’m going to take a lot of things – anything that makes this place CBGB‘s.”

Fans left tributes to Kristal at the venue today, including flowers, candles and graffiti messages.